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RANGELEY — The Giving Tree of Rangeley, with help from the community, with donated to the effort, this past year supported 23 families, 50-plus children and 30 seniors, organizers announced.
“We work year-round, but the real work begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the lighting of the Giving Tree located at Town Park,” organizers said in a news release.
Although the weather on Nov. 30 was in the low teens with flurries, close to 75 spectators waited for the fire engine that brought the Giving Tree Angel, Elf and Santa to the park via the Rangeley Fire Department ladder truck. The Giving Tree Angel Elli Zietz and the Christmas Elf Tucker Lemay were randomly chosen from the Rangeley Lakes Regional School first-graders who completed a coloring page.
Waiting for them at Town Park were Giving Tree President Carmen Glidden and Ben Witherill, providing the opening remarks and invocation. A musical program was provided, before and after their arrival, by the RLRS and Rangeley Community Chorus under the direction of Erin Smith, Tom Danforth, Joe Montimurro and Thad Zmistowski. In addition to the music, Fire Chief Michael Bacon and Virginia MacFawn addressed the spectators.
With a touch of her magic finger the Angel brought the Giving Tree of Rangeley to colorful life with the applause of the crowd. With the snow that had settled on the branches of the tree it was a beautiful sight. After a final sing-a-long the crowd departed and gathered at the Congo Barn for a hot cocoa and cake reception. The children were able to spend time with Santa Claus telling him their hopes and wishes for his Christmas visit. After the final raffle was held the evening was done.
The shopping and wrapping for the Giving Tree volunteers continued until all the children and senior’s gifts were completed. The seniors were invited to a social with Santa on a Saturday in December at the Town House to celebrate the season.
The Giving Tree of Rangeley would like to express how grateful we are to all the donors and volunteers that make each year a success for the community, organizers said. “We would also like to thank the management and tellers of the Skowhegan Savings Bank for all their support and in providing us the work space for our organization. Much gratitude to the Franklin Savings Bank, Skowhegan Savings Bank and the Rangeley Public Library for allowing us to have tag trees for the community to assist us with the shopping. As always, we cannot say enough about, the Rangeley Fire and Police Departments, Rangeley Public Works and Linda Dexter of Ecopelagicon for helping us in so many ways.
And this year, Jen Farmer and family for providing a wonderful homemade cake for our reception…it was yummy! Thank you all so very much.”
PHOTO: Santa with Giving Tree Angel Elli Zietz, Christmas Elf Tucker Lemay and Giving Tree President Carmen Glidden. (Submitted photo)
